Simon Cowell hints birth of his child timed to coincide with release of X Factor musical

Simon Cowell has hinted his unborn child was actually planned after joking he had timed it to coincide with the premiere of the X Factor musical.

The 53-year-old, who is expecting his first child with 36-year-old New York socialite Lauren Silverman next summer, is delighted he can now publicly gush about becoming a father.

‘I’m happy about it, I really am. It’s nothing to hide now and the fact that I can talk about it publicly is great,’ the music mogul revealed.

‘It’s just a baby and I’m happy… In fact, the baby will be at the [musical] premiere. I’ve timed it,’ he told ITV’s Daybreak.

And despite the ‘uncomfortable circumstances’ surrounding his happy news, Cowell admits he can’t wait to become a daddy.

‘It was a surprise initially… I got a phone call with the news. Some of the circumstances around this were very uncomfortable to say the least, you know…but it happened and she’s an incredible girl,’ he admitted.

Proud dad: Simon Cowell is happier than ever now that he’s expecting a baby with Lauren Silverman (Picture: INFphoto)

‘Once I got used to the idea that I was going to be a dad, then I was really happy, really happy. So, I’m really looking forward to it.’

But Cowell is most looking forward to when his child is old enough to walk and talk as the thought of babies’ leaves him feeling more than a little nervous.

He said: ‘I do like kids, I’m not sure I can deal with the whole baby thing, I’m not great with babies, but I’m good with kids, you know once they can talk to you and you can talk to them, I think it’ll be fantastic!’

The X Factor boss has now had time to put his shock news into ‘perspective’, and told Magic 105.4 FM Breakfast show host Neil Fox: ‘It happened and I think I’ve dealt with it well.. Overall I’m probably happier now that I’ve ever been.’